SBS World News Radio

A new permanent exhibition on the ancient Roman city of Pompeii has showcased an arresting image of the moment when a catastrophic volcano eruption destroyed the city in 79 AD. Over 20 casts of bodies of residents in the city will be displayed at the exhibition, along with other findings such as plants and food that remained buried for centuries under metres of ash and lava.

With dementia now confirmed as the leading cause of death in Australia, advocates are calling on the federal government to fund a public health campaign to promote brain health. The CEO of Dementia Australia, professor Tanya Buchanan, speaks to Blake Quinn about what the data is showing and what Australians should be doing to reduce the risk of getting the brain condition.

Across the UK, hate crimes targeting Muslims have become increasingly prevalent, and are now at record levels, representing almost half of all religious hate crimes in the country. At a local mosque in Peterborough, community members have responded by celebrating a campaign featuring kindness and cupcakes.

Milk bars, often run by Greek migrants, forever changed the way Australians meet and eat. Across the country, cafes and milk bars popularised juke boxes, rock and roll and frothy soda drinks.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Morgans Chief Economist Michael Knox who is betting the RBA will need to lift interest rates three times this year as a wave of inflation prepares to come down on the economy; while Stephanie Youssef looks through the day's market action with Zoran Kresovic from Blueberry and how investors are feeling as the Middle-East war rolls on.

The recent conflict in Iran and across the Middle East is yet again exposing news audiences to atrocities and human suffering on a large scale. So, what impact does news consumption have on audiences, and how can people stay informed, without becoming distressed?

It's been almost three months since one of the deadliest mass shootings in Australia's recent history... when 15 people were killed at Sydney's Bondi Beach. 43-year-old Syrian-born Australian tobacco shop owner Ahmed Al- Ahmed tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen, a moment caputred on a video which went viral around the world. He describes the incident as 'painful'. He was shot multiple times while tackling the attacker, undergoing surgery for his injuries. He spoke to SBS Arabic's Dima Alkaed about what happened that day... and his plans moving forward.

Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed retaliation for attacks on Iran as Israeli strikes expand, raising fears the Middle East conflict could widen and further destabilise global energy markets

New data shows that Russia's oil export earnings have soared since the US-Israeli war in Iran broke out, sparking fears that Russia will use this war to finance its own in Ukraine. As the United States lifts sanctions and Europe considers more flexibility, Russia says the world is coming to understand the importance of its resources.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Tom Gilbertson from Loftus Peak about the future of AI and the workforce and what it means for investors as Atlassian becomes the first major Software as a Service to slash jobs; Trent Sauders from CBA details why the bank is now predicting the RBA will lift interest rates two more times this cycle; and Angus Geddes from Fat Prophets shares his thoughts on the investment environment as the war in the Middle-East continues.

The war in Iran has seen high petrol prices translate to higher fuel prices at service stations across the country. The federal government is urging Australian motorists to not panic buy following reports of some stations running out of fuel, while others introduce rations. The effects are being felt in many industries – from airlines and fishers to truck and taxi drivers. Stephanie Youssef spoke with Australian Taxi Industry Association CEO Blair Davies about how the added costs and uncertainty is impacting the already pressured industry

Australia's fuel standards will be relaxed for two months to bring more supply into the domestic market. The federal government say the change will add an additional 100 million litres of petrol a month to Australian supply.

Trump tries to extinguish the oil price fire but Iran and Israel both double down on an extended war. Iranian women soccer players seek asylum and the Nepali youth's hip-hop hero. Plus, Ready Player One? The virtual world to the rescue…

Soldiers have been deployed to the streets of Johannesburg in the first major troop deployment since South African President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed to crack down on violent crime and illegal mining. With some of the highest crime rates in the world, South Africa is deploying troops to five of its nine provinces in an effort to tackle the growing violence.

The war in the Middle East is continuing to intensify, with Iran warning oil prices could surge to US$200 a barrel if the conflict spreads across the region. As missiles strike Israel and Iran, tensions are rising rise in the Gulf and Lebanon, as fears grow of a wider war and a global economic shock.

An investigation into the Robodebt Scheme has found two people engaged in "serious corrupt conduct". The Investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission cleared four other people, including former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. And a warning - this feature contains references to suicide.

The federal government has introduced new legislation to impose a temporary ban from some countries travelling to Australia on certain visas. Rights groups and experts have condemned the move, raising concerns that the war in the Middle East could prevent people from seeking asylum in Australia.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Josh Gilbert from eToro to as NAB, Westpac and Citi predict two RBA interest rate rises in a row as oil prices remain high threatening inflation; and Stephanie Youssef speaks with Blair Davies from the Australian Taxi Industry Association to find out, if like some airlines, taxis will need to increase fares to cover the spike in petrol prices.

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan has been elected leader of the Nationals following David Littleproud's resignation, appointing Darren Chester as his deputy. The conservative leader aims to challenge net-zero targets, address fuel crises, and advocate for child care reform.

The Australian government has granted humanitarian visas to seven members of the Iranian National women's football team to stay in Australia. Amid relief from the supporters within the community and fears for the remaining players, critics say the government's proposed visa legislation will leave other visa holders in the region stranded.

It's been 15 years since one of the worst natural disasters in history. The 2011 East Japan Earthquake and tsunami killed more than 19,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands of people, especially those forced to evacuate following the subsequent Fukushima nuclear accident. So what lessons can be learnt from this disaster and nuclear accident in a climate of increasing global turmoil?

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Cirium Aviation Analyst Ellis Taylor who says airfares may rise as much as 30 per cent as jet fuel prices soar amid the Middle-East war; and Todd Hoare from LGT Wealth Management Australia Management on the markets partial recovery following yesterday's $90bn sell-off.

Iran has been retaliating since coming under United States and Israeli bombardment more than a week ago, launching strikes against Israel and Gulf states allied with the US that host American military bases. Experts are describing Iran's actions as a bid for "regime survival". Associate Professor Jessica Genauer at Flinders University says the conflict can be described as "asymmetric". She's been talking to SBS's Cameron Carr.

Australia is deploying an E7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and 85 personnel to the United Arab Emirates to bolster regional air defences. The government is maintaining the mission is strictly defensive, while the Greens warn it risks entangling Australia in an illegal conflict.

The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran is entering a volatile new phase, with fighting spreading across the Middle East, missiles and drones striking multiple countries, global energy markets under pressure, and hundreds of thousands of civilians forced to flee their homes.

Global oil prices have surged and sunk as the US-Israeli war on Iran chokes major supply chains of oil and gas. With deep uncertainty and mixed messaging over the US timeframe for the war, world leaders are scrambling to ensure they're prepared for ongoing pressures.

Women across the world have taken to the streets to mark International Women's Day, calling for an end to inequality and discrimination. Some of the issues in focus - pay inequity, reproductive rights and gender-based violence.

Australia have faced South Korea in one of the AFC Women's Asia Cup's most anticipated fixtures, surrendering the top spot in the group to South Korea, after a 3-all draw. The match delivered a crucial result at the eleventh hour for home side. As fans celebrate the rise in women's football, experts say more work needs to be done in the space.

The Middle East conflict is entering a new and uncertain phase. Iran has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as its new Supreme Leader following the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as fighting with Israel intensifies. Military strikes are escalating across the region, oil prices are surging, and world leaders are urging restraint amid fears of a wider war.

Six months after youth-led protests in Nepal ousted the government, voters have elected 35-year-old rapper turned politician Balendra Shah. Defeating former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the landslide victory of the former mayor of Kathmandu shows the lasting strength of the youth-led movement.

In December 2025, Australia's ban on under 16s having social media accounts on some of the world's highest profile platforms took effect. Since then, around the world, other countries have taken note, and are implementing or considering their own underage ban.

Today is International Women's Day, with the theme of 'Balancing the Scales' which calls for accelerated progress toward gender equity. SBS World News Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson has spoken with Irish Ambassador Fiona Flood, German Ambassador Beate Grzeski, and Croatian Ambassador Betty Pavelich on their experiences as senior diplomats. The conversation covers a range of important issues, including gender equality in world diplomacy, the conflict with Iran, and the struggles women have in getting ahead in a traditionally man's world of diplomacy.

A warning - the following story contains elements that may distress some people. In 2025, New South Wales alone recorded the highest number of women murdered in domestic violence situations. Advocates say it's not a one-off situation - and that women's safety remains an ongoing concern.

More than three thousand kilometres off the Western Australian coast lie the Cocos Islands — a tiny archipelago of 27 coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Just two are inhabited. One of them is Home Island, a kampong of about 460 people, where the overwhelming majority are Cocos Malays — and where Islam has shaped daily life for generations. As Western Australia Correspondent Christopher Tan reports, it is here that the month-long fast of Ramadan has reached the halfway mark on one of Australia's most remote communities.

Families in Australia are bracing for a cost-of-living hit, as energy prices soar. Charities are increasing gifts of free food during Ramadan, to help those already struggling. SBS Arabic takes a look at how one group is trying to help.

The S&P/ASX 200 has recorded its worst weekly drop since Donald Trump's so-called Liberation Day tariffs shocked global markets in April last year. That's as investors weigh the prospect of a drawn-out war in the Middle East, with the rising oil price prompting further inflation concerns. Meanwhile, the US Pentagon has formally labelled AI company Anthropic a supply chain risk, escalating its dispute over AI safeguards. For more, Stephanie Youssef spoke with capital.com senior market analyst Kyle Rodda.

Counting is underway in Nepal's general elections which were held six months after deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government in the Himalayan nation. Nearly 19 million voters were eligible to choose who replaces the interim government in place since the September 2025 uprising. A winner is not expected to be announced until after a week.

As the US-Israeli war on Iran rages on, the United States has asked Ukraine for help to fend off Iranian drone attacks in the region. Despite Donald Trump's scaled back support for Ukraine and Israel's refusal to impose sanctions on Russia, Ukraine has offered allies in the region a swap of key defence systems.

A federal parliamentary inquiry has opened into racism in Australia, with advocates calling for the probe to be not 'another exercise in diagnosis'. The Australian Human Rights Commission says the government already knows what needs to change, and the inquiry must turn that knowledge into action, with timelines and accountability. Meanwhile the federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malandirri McCarthy is encouraging big social media platforms to make submissions to the inquiry. She's told NITV some Indigenous people are feeling scared after a string of reports of racist attacks in public. She's talking here to NITV's John Paul Janke

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Robert Talevski from Activam about the day's market action while Stephanie Youseff discusses the ACCC's latest airports report which warns high levels of investment will be passed onto airlines which may increase airfares as a result.

Amid escalating war in Iran, there are concerns for the tens-of-thousands of political prisoners held in jails across the country, some facing execution. The head of the Iranian judiciary has announced that those in Iran who support the US and Israel will be treated as an 'enemy'. This story has been produced in collaboration with SBS Persian.

With the Supreme Leader killed, Iran lashes out. Will the Middle East choose sides as oil prices skyrocket and travel chaos sees thousands stranded. Plus, who could be next in line in Iran, could the US strikes encourage others into action and proof that sometimes the best defence is a very loud, slightly unhinged cuddly toy.

Explosions have lit up the skies over Beirut as Israeli strikes continue to target Hezbollah positions in the Lebanese capital, widening the regional war that began after the U-S and Israeli strikes on Iran. Officials say more than 70 people have been killed in Lebanon, while tens of thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes.

Almost 90-thousand people have packed a Sydney stadium to see Bad Bunny's first live concerts in Australia. It's a record for the ENGIE Stadium, underlining the global audience for music sung in Spanish, including among Western audiences that don't understand or speak the language.

Australia and Canada have agreed to deepen their ties after Canada's Prime Minister urged middle powers to collaborate in the face of a ruptured ruled-based world order. Describing the two countries as strategic cousins, both Mark Carney and Anthony Albanese agreed that like-minded middle powers must work together to secure their future.

A former intelligence officer who resigned over the Iraq War has told SBS it's indisputable that Australian intelligence is being used by Israel and the United States in their war against Iran. Referring partly to Pine Gap, the secret US-Australian intelligence base near Alice Springs, Independent Andrew Wilkie is demanding the parliament be able to scrutinise any Australian involvement in what he claims are a series of illegal strikes by western allies. Israel's top Canberra diplomat says the strikes were in self defence and complied with international law. Andrew Wilkie is talking to SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson.

Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has sat down with Federal Politics reporter Anna Henderson, where she was pressed on Canberra's position and whether Australia has any involvement in the escalating global conflict following the recent attacks on Iran. The Minister addressed questions about the legal justification for the strikes, Australia's role, and national security concerns as tensions continue to reverberate beyond the Middle East.

A First Nations advocate and activist for incarcerated women says the social contract between the Australian government and the community is broken. Tahlia Isaac, who founded 'Project:herSelf', says authorities are more interested in punishment than providing the conditions to keep people safe. She says the system needs to change and the government needs to start listening to women who have real insight into the cycle of incarceration.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Harry Murphy Cruise from Oxford Economics about the impact of the Middle East war on the Australian economy, even as GDP expands at its fastest rate in almost three years. Plus Niv Dagan from Peak Asset Management on the day's sharemarket news including the market's reaction to ARN Media's decision to pull the Kyle and Jackie O show.

United States President Donald Trump has lashed out at European allies for what he says is a lack of support on Iran. As diplomatic ties strain over the war, Iran says the time for negotiations has passed, warning Europe not to get involved.

Oil prices across the globe have surged to multi-year highs, as the war in Iran expands into a broader regional conflict. A prolonged war risks disrupting energy supply chains, particularly as key shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz are effectively closed. Analysts say impacts are already being felt - and that has implications for the global economic outlook and inflation.